DETECTIVES have released a CCTV image of a woman they would like to trace after jewellery and electrical items worth over £2,000 were stolen in a burglary.

Offenders broke into a house on Corbyns Hall Road, on Russells Hall estate, Dudley, on the evening of Monday, August 2.

They gained access to the house through an open window and searched the premises, taking a haul of gold chains, a mobile phone, cameras and games consoles.

Det Con Joanne Morgan, from Dudley CID, said: “Falling victim to burglars is always distressing and we want to trace not only the woman pictured, but also the property which was taken.

“Jewellery often holds sentimental value and we want to try and reunite the owners with their property, if possible.”

The stolen items included a 9ct gold belcher chain, a 9ct gold link chain, two Vivitar cameras, a silver camcorder, a pink Nintendo DS games console, various DS games, and a Nokia 8600 Luna mobile phone. Some of the jewellery items were later sold on to a shop in Brierley Hill.

Officers investigating the burglary are keen to trace the woman pictured as she may have information to help the police investigation.

* Anyone able to help should call CID at Brierley Hill police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

West Midlands Police recently launched Operation Verve to tackle the rise in acquisitive crime, including burglary, which traditionally occurs at this time of year.